along500's review against another edition
2.0
I was really enjoying it for the light hearted drama until towards the end it turned into some kind of niche erotica?
lameeya_'s review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Everyone was so hateable, and I generally like reading about unlikeable people but this one didn't click with me, the writing felt stilted and weird somehow. The story was fine, and I didn't hate the ending but I couldn't connect with the writing at all.
jan_db's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the way that the characters interacted with each other was so interesting and unpredictable. i loved the little reveals we had throughout the book, and honestly i don't particularly like multiple pov's in a story but i think this one was really well done
kmerms's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
shimimire's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book for my birthday. I failed to become engaged with this book. I just felt that all the characters were terrible selfish people who I did not want good things for which may have been the point but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
allieruth's review against another edition
3.75
I am once again begging you to read Marcy Dermansky... but maybe don't start here. the multiple perspectives and pacing is off on this one — it doesn't just feel very coherent or polished, when her other books are so sleek.
still, there's an addicting quality to Dermansky's writing that I can't put down. something to her clipped, deceptively simple sentences, unusual internal dialogues. she's smart, gleefully nasty, a little (or a lot) unhinged. her other books have more emotional heft/payoff to balance it out, while this one was mostly just jaded. still, there's fun mocking of elites and a mother-daughter relationship that I wish got more attention, was almost heartfelt.
still, there's an addicting quality to Dermansky's writing that I can't put down. something to her clipped, deceptively simple sentences, unusual internal dialogues. she's smart, gleefully nasty, a little (or a lot) unhinged. her other books have more emotional heft/payoff to balance it out, while this one was mostly just jaded. still, there's fun mocking of elites and a mother-daughter relationship that I wish got more attention, was almost heartfelt.
pretty_little_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Title: Very Nice
Author: Marcy Dermansky
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: Paperback
Language: English
My review:
Very Nice was a fairly fast-paced novel – that read like a soap opera. It certainly was fun to read this book and I believe it was the perfect summer read, to be read by the pool. The story is told through various characters’ povs so we see varying perspectives in the alternating thread of storytelling. It is linear with a fluid writing that reads really well.
We have Rachel, a college student who has a crush on her creative writing professor – Zahid Azzam, who is also a well-renowned author. She seduces him, they have sex and Rachel starts thinking that he likes her for it. However, everything is not as it seems. For instance, the characters portray something else – a sense of individuality and accomplishment, you could say, but underneath it all, there are such conflicting emotions. By a chance of fate, Zahid ends up living in Rachel’s house and has an affair with her mother, Becca. However, Dermansky has played well with the creation of the interrelationships among the various characters in this book. It seems everyone is related to everyone in one way or the other. The way their threads are intertwined proves to be a very interesting read.
The book also has various themes peeking out through the various narratives. With Khloe, we see the misogynistic nature of the world that she has to face in her finance job. Becca deals with dissatisfaction and a sense of acute restlessness and incompleteness. Jonathan deals with the fleeting sense of joy as he leaves his wife Becca for the much younger Mandy, only to slowly realize that it is not how he wants to live. The inner monologues of the characters, especially that of Rachel, is very interesting. The idea of self-image and self-identity is very important here too. we see Zahid struggling with it, and we also see Rachel struggling with the idea or the image she has of Zahid. There is also inclusion of political themes such as gun laws (in relation to the incident faced by Becca once, as she was confronted by Amelia’s brother), varying political ideologies, etc. the manner of writing is quite electric, to be honest, and at first I was not sure of what I felt regarding the short sentences. I found it weird, but not bad though. After a while, I got used to it and quite enjoyed it, in fact.
Despite all the differences in the characters’ personalities, and, they are human – and flawed in a way we all can also certainly relate to. It was very easy to relate to the characters. I felt so accomplished myself when Zahid’s writing was going well, for instance.
The writing continues to be witty, and although the author deals with some abject issues, it is still fun and a buoyant read overall.
Verdict:
An enjoyable read, I rated it 4/5 stars.
Author: Marcy Dermansky
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: Paperback
Language: English
My review:
Very Nice was a fairly fast-paced novel – that read like a soap opera. It certainly was fun to read this book and I believe it was the perfect summer read, to be read by the pool. The story is told through various characters’ povs so we see varying perspectives in the alternating thread of storytelling. It is linear with a fluid writing that reads really well.
We have Rachel, a college student who has a crush on her creative writing professor – Zahid Azzam, who is also a well-renowned author. She seduces him, they have sex and Rachel starts thinking that he likes her for it. However, everything is not as it seems. For instance, the characters portray something else – a sense of individuality and accomplishment, you could say, but underneath it all, there are such conflicting emotions. By a chance of fate, Zahid ends up living in Rachel’s house and has an affair with her mother, Becca. However, Dermansky has played well with the creation of the interrelationships among the various characters in this book. It seems everyone is related to everyone in one way or the other. The way their threads are intertwined proves to be a very interesting read.
The book also has various themes peeking out through the various narratives. With Khloe, we see the misogynistic nature of the world that she has to face in her finance job. Becca deals with dissatisfaction and a sense of acute restlessness and incompleteness. Jonathan deals with the fleeting sense of joy as he leaves his wife Becca for the much younger Mandy, only to slowly realize that it is not how he wants to live. The inner monologues of the characters, especially that of Rachel, is very interesting. The idea of self-image and self-identity is very important here too. we see Zahid struggling with it, and we also see Rachel struggling with the idea or the image she has of Zahid. There is also inclusion of political themes such as gun laws (in relation to the incident faced by Becca once, as she was confronted by Amelia’s brother), varying political ideologies, etc. the manner of writing is quite electric, to be honest, and at first I was not sure of what I felt regarding the short sentences. I found it weird, but not bad though. After a while, I got used to it and quite enjoyed it, in fact.
Despite all the differences in the characters’ personalities, and, they are human – and flawed in a way we all can also certainly relate to. It was very easy to relate to the characters. I felt so accomplished myself when Zahid’s writing was going well, for instance.
The writing continues to be witty, and although the author deals with some abject issues, it is still fun and a buoyant read overall.
Verdict:
An enjoyable read, I rated it 4/5 stars.
pati_c's review against another edition
3.0
Ao ler a sinopse de Very Nice, de Marcy Dermansky, a impressão que tive foi de ser o tipo de livro para ler nas férias de verão: leve, engraçado e quase como uma boa fofoca contata por nossa melhor amiga.
O enredo com certeza promete: um triângulo amoroso que envolve a jovem estudante Rachel Klein, seu professor de literatura Zahid Azzam e sua mãe Becca Klein, tendo como pano de fundo uma pacata e milionária cidadezinha de Connecticut.
Ainda acompanhamos Jonathan Klein -pai de Rachel e marido de Becca- e sua nova namorada Mandy; e Khloe, uma analista financeira que trabalha para Jonathan e que por acaso esta subletando o apartamento de Zahid no Brooklyn.
O livro se desenrola com a narração de cada um destes personagens, logo nós experimentamos tudo pelo ângulo deles, o que eu achei uma boa sacada da escritora, pois vemos, entre outras coisas, o quanto eles estão se iludindo.
O enredo tem humor e uma pitada de crítica social, mas nada que faça a gente revirar os olhos. Os personagens foram bem bolados e eu achei o livro tão viciante que devorei em poucos dias.
Very Nice é um livro um pouco frívolo? Sim, mas bom o suficiente para ser uma gostosa leitura de férias. Com certeza vou procurar outros livros desta autora. E quem consegue resistir a esta capa?
Para esta e outras resenhas, e muito mais, visite: Siana Press
O enredo com certeza promete: um triângulo amoroso que envolve a jovem estudante Rachel Klein, seu professor de literatura Zahid Azzam e sua mãe Becca Klein, tendo como pano de fundo uma pacata e milionária cidadezinha de Connecticut.
Ainda acompanhamos Jonathan Klein -pai de Rachel e marido de Becca- e sua nova namorada Mandy; e Khloe, uma analista financeira que trabalha para Jonathan e que por acaso esta subletando o apartamento de Zahid no Brooklyn.
O livro se desenrola com a narração de cada um destes personagens, logo nós experimentamos tudo pelo ângulo deles, o que eu achei uma boa sacada da escritora, pois vemos, entre outras coisas, o quanto eles estão se iludindo.
O enredo tem humor e uma pitada de crítica social, mas nada que faça a gente revirar os olhos. Os personagens foram bem bolados e eu achei o livro tão viciante que devorei em poucos dias.
Very Nice é um livro um pouco frívolo? Sim, mas bom o suficiente para ser uma gostosa leitura de férias. Com certeza vou procurar outros livros desta autora. E quem consegue resistir a esta capa?
Para esta e outras resenhas, e muito mais, visite: Siana Press
jillsta's review against another edition
4.0
Marcy Dermansky's writing is addictive.
Very Nice is set in the summer after the 2016 election and bounces between Brooklyn, Manhattan, and beach houses in Connecticut. The POV changes from a mom, a father, a daughter, the daughter's writing professor, and an employee of the banker father who also happens to be subletting the professor's apartment. The professor was/is the talk of the literary town with a book he wrote years ago. He spent all his money on expensive loafers and his grandmother in Pakistan is dying. He gets his friend's twin sister to sublet for him (he is very much broke, given the loafer situation). He hooked up with his student on the last day of the semester (and his teaching contract, and the day before leaving for Pakistan). His student agreed to watch the dog for the summer, even though she would be staying with her freshly separated mom (who may be more upset about their family dog dying than her husband leaving her for a much younger pilot named Mandy) in Connecticut. The professor's trip is cut short and he finds himself staying at his student's house in Connecticut for the summer. Mother and daughter may be catching feelings for him. He may have his eyes on Mom.
This book is like Something's Gotta Give had a love child with American Beauty. All sparking marble countertops, gleaming pools, and grilled tarragon chicken served with crisp white wine, but below the surface, there is darkness and dysfunctional families. Nobody is very nice in this book.
Very Nice is set in the summer after the 2016 election and bounces between Brooklyn, Manhattan, and beach houses in Connecticut. The POV changes from a mom, a father, a daughter, the daughter's writing professor, and an employee of the banker father who also happens to be subletting the professor's apartment. The professor was/is the talk of the literary town with a book he wrote years ago. He spent all his money on expensive loafers and his grandmother in Pakistan is dying. He gets his friend's twin sister to sublet for him (he is very much broke, given the loafer situation). He hooked up with his student on the last day of the semester (and his teaching contract, and the day before leaving for Pakistan). His student agreed to watch the dog for the summer, even though she would be staying with her freshly separated mom (who may be more upset about their family dog dying than her husband leaving her for a much younger pilot named Mandy) in Connecticut. The professor's trip is cut short and he finds himself staying at his student's house in Connecticut for the summer. Mother and daughter may be catching feelings for him. He may have his eyes on Mom.
This book is like Something's Gotta Give had a love child with American Beauty. All sparking marble countertops, gleaming pools, and grilled tarragon chicken served with crisp white wine, but below the surface, there is darkness and dysfunctional families. Nobody is very nice in this book.
ashleyozery's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0